2003 BMW 3 Series Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 73 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 BMW 3 Series, 5% of the 73 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In 2010 the sunroof went bad I talked to a Bmw dealer and they told me they have problems with them, in august of 2011 I noticed that my tail lights and blinkers were not working proper,nor was my horn,and the drivers window regulators are binding up, also a brake hose from my brake booster to the engine is collapsed in two spots. ??”
NHTSA complaint #10438952, filed 2011-12, 95,000 miles“I was the previous owner of a Bmw 325i that I have been told needs a new transmission. Age - 2003, miles 60,000. It's unacceptable that a car with so low miles, has been maintained and driven gently has experienced this problem. After searching on the web, I find that this is a recurring problem with Bmw's. Why has nothing been done? How can Bmw say this is not their issue when clearly this is a problem with their cars. I'm spending an additional 6,000 on this car. I recently purchased a brand new Bmw and sold the 325 to a close friend. …”
NHTSA complaint #10290442, filed 2009-10, 60,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Bmw 323ci. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into reverse gear. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who stated that the rear d drum failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10550524, filed 2013-11, 88,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10051459Dec 1, 2012Bmw: dsc warning light is on. The warning lamps for dsc, abs and brake warning illuminated. There may also be a warning in the control display for chassis control system failure.
- 10040045Apr 1, 2011Bmw: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
- 10036980Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a new technical process is being used on many models to determine the root cause of double-clutch transmission problems.
- 10031644Sep 1, 2009Bmw: complaint that the n (neutral) symbol is being displayed in the kombi and the message transmission in n, shift to p when engine is turned off is displayed in the cc when the…
- 10032827Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicles: dsc disabling function. Dsc off function has been implemented in m5 and m6 vehicles equipped with the optional 6 speed manual transmissions. No model years listed.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 6 | 29% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 3 | 4% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 5% |
| 2002 | 3 | 12% |
| 2001 | 3 | 8% |
| 2000 | 35 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW 3 Series
23 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology